Purpose: This study explores the lived experiences, motivations, and expectations of foster parents in Albania, a country in transition from institutional to family-based care. It seeks to understand how foster families interpret their roles, navigate institutional structures, and respond to societal attitudes toward non-biological parenting.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research design was employed using semi‑structured, in-depth interviews with nine certified foster families, representing all active foster families in Albania at the time of data collection. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring meanings and shared experiences across participants.
Findings: The results revealed four main themes: (1) motivations to become a foster family, (2) perceptions from family and society, (3) expectations regarding the foster care system, and (4) expectations regarding the foster child. Participants described fostering as an act of faith and compassion shaped by inadequate state support, social prejudice, and a growing awareness of children’s trauma and adaptation needs.
Originality/value: This study provides one of the first in-depth qualitative insights into foster parenting in Albania, highlighting how motivation, institutional conditions, and social context intersect to influence the sustainability of foster care within a transitioning child‑protection system.
